Double needle winding head

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a winding head having a needle assembly which is mounted on a housing for movement between first and second positions and which includes first and second needles located in spaced relation to each other such, that when the needle assembly is in the first position, one of the needles extends from the housing and the other needle is retracted and such that, when the needle assembly is in the second position, the other needle extends from the housing and the one needle is retracted. Also included in the winding head is means for displacing the needle assembly between the first and second positions and means for releasably and selectively locking the needle assembly in either of the first and second positions.

United States Patent Schanke [451 July 18, 1972 [54] DOUBLE NEEDLEWINDING HEAD Pnmary Examiner-Billy S. Taylor [72] Inventor. Robert L.Schanke, Muskego, Wis. Atmmey wheeler, wheeler, House & Clemency [73]Assignee: Lincoln Tool & Manufacturing Co., Milwaukee, Wis. [57]ABSTRACT [22] Filed: June 15, 1970 Disclosed herein is a winding headhaving a needle assembly which is mounted on a housing for movementbetween first [21] APPL 46,274 and second positions and which includesfirst and second needles located in spaced relation to each other such,that when 52 US. Cl. ..242/1.1 R the needle assembly is in the first 1needles [5 l 1 Int. Cl. ..H02k 15/09 extends from the housing and theother needle is retracted and H m f h U 42 H 1.1 E such that, when theneedle assembly is in the second position, [58] e 0 Sem 2 l R l I 7 03 Cthe other needle extends from the housing and the one needle isretracted. Also included in the winding head is means for [56]References Cited displacing the needle assembly between the first andsecond UNITED STATES PATENTS positions and means for releasably andselectively locking the needle assembly in either of the first andsecond positions, 3,458,145 7/1969 Eichelmann ..242/l.l R 3,323,7346/1967 Peters ..242/l.l R 5 Clains, 4 Drawing figures Patented July 18,1972 3,677,480

DOUBLE NEEDLE WINDING HEAD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Some stators areprovided with windings which are wound with wires of different sizes. Inthe past, it was the usual practice to rethread a winding machine with asecond size wire to provide the second series of windings or to relocatethe partially wound stator on another winding machine. This additionaloperation and the time lost consequent thereto are avoided by thedisclosed invention.

Reference is made to the Peters U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,600 issued Aug. 18,1970, which discloses a construction prior to this invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a winding head which isadapted to, be reciprocated and oscillated to effect the winding ofcoils on a stator or other dynamo machine member. In accordance with theinvention, the head is provided with one or more needle assemblies whichrespectively include at least two needles and which can be selectivelylocated in two or more operating positions so as to effect winding inresponse to reciprocating and oscillating head movement. One of theneedles in each needle assembly can be threaded with a wire of one sizeand the other of the needles in each needle assembly can be threadedwith a wire of another size to permit the successive winding of coils ofthe stator or other dynamo electric machine member with wire of twosizes.

In the preferred construction, more than one needle assembly is providedand there is a common means for displacing each of the needle assembliesbetween two operating positions. In addition, releasable means areprovided for selectively locking the needle assemblies in theiroperating positions.

One of the principal objects of the invention is the provision of awinding head having one or more needle assemblies which can bealternately located to afford alternate winding opera tion with wires ofdifferent sizes.

Another principle object of the invention is the provision of such aflip needle" head as indicated above including needle assemblies withtwo needles and provision of means for readily locating the needleassemblies between alternate operating positions.

Another principal object of the invention is the provision of aconstruction which is economical to manufacture and which will providereliable operation through a long and useful life.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become known byreference to the following description and the accompanying drawings.

DRAWINGS FIG. I is a fragmentary elevational view, with parts omittedand broken way and in partial section, of a winding head embodyingvarious of the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along line 3-3 ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of various of the componentsembodied in the construction shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Shown in the drawings is a winding head embodyingvarious of the features of the invention. Except as noted herein, thewinding head 10 is generally as disclosed in the specification of thePeters U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,600 issued Aug. 18, 1970, which specificationis included herein by reference.

The same terminology and numerology employed in the Peters specificationwill be employed herein.

In accordance with the invention, the winding head is adapted forreciprocating and oscillating movement during the winding of a stator orother dynamo-electric machine member and includes at least one needleassembly which is mounted on a housing for movement between first andsecond positions and which includes first and second needles located inspaced relation to each other such that, when said needle assembly is inthe first position, one of the needles extends from the housing and theother of the needles is retracted relative to the extending needle andsuch that, when the needle assembly is in the second position, the otherneedle is in a position extending from the housing and the firstmentioned needle is retracted relative to the other needle. Theinvention also includes means for displacing the needle assembly betweenthe first and second positions and means for releasably and selectivelylocking the needle assembly in either one of the first and secondpositions.

The head 10 includes a main body or housing 22 as generally described inthe Peters U.S. Pat. No. 3,524,600 except that an interrupted annulargroove 501 is provided approximately midway of the head and one or morepockets or recesses 503 which communicate with the groove 501 and withthe channels or slots 46 which contain the body cams 60 and body slides62. The number of pockets 503 is equal to the number of slots 46 and, ingeneral, depends upon the number of wires to be simultaneously wound onthe stator. Thus, while various arrangements can be employed, in thedisclosed construction, two needle pockets 503 are disclosed. It should,however, be understood that the three or four, or even more, needlepockets could be employed.

Because the needle pockets 503 are located, in major part, in the bodycams 60 and in the body slides 62, as well as in the main body orhousing 22, the body cams 60 and the body slides 62 are somewhatmodified from the construction shown in the Peters U.S. Pat. No.3,524,600. Specifically, the adjacent ends of the body cams 60 and theadjacent ends of the body slides 62 are formed to provide a continuationof the interrupted annular groove 501 and to cooperate with the housing22 to provide the needle assembly pockets 503. In this regard, theadjacent body cams 60 respectively include end walls 505 which partiallydefine the associated pockets 503 and which, as will be explained ingreater detail, support the respective needle assemblies.

Located within each needle pocket 503 is a needle assembly 511comprising first and second needles 64 and means for mounting theneedles 64 in angularly spaced relation to each other and for commonmovement between first and second positions. When the needle assembly islocated in the first position, one of the needles extends from thehousing 22 of the winding head 10 in proper location for winding and theother of the needles 64 is retracted within the associated pocket 503.When the needle assembly 511 is in the other or second position, theother needle extends relative to the housing 22 of the winding head andthe first mentioned needle is located in a retracted position in theassociated pocket 503.

The needles 64 are generally of conventional construction except as ishereinafter mentioned and include an eye 63 and an interior bore 521leading from the eye 63 and affording wire passage.

While various arrangement can be employed, in the disclosedconstruction, the needle mounting means comprises a pair of needlemounting plates 513 each of which includes two angularly relatedchannels 515 which, when the side plates 513 are assembled, are locatedin facing relationship and receive the stems or base 517 of the needles64. Outward withdrawal of the needles 64 from the side plates 513 isprecluded by studs or pins 66 which extend between recesses in theneedles and bores 525 in the side plates 513.

While various arrangements can be employed, in the disclosedconstruction, the needle assemblies 511 are mounted on the housing 22 bymeans including a pivot pin 527 having ends 526 which extend throughaligned bores or apertures 529 in the base of the side plates 513 andwhich are received in aligned bores or apertures 531 in the adjacent endwalls 505 of the body cams 60.

Means are also provided for maintaining the side plates 513 in assembledrelation to each other with the needles 64 captured therebetween and,simultaneously, for affording displacement of the needle assemblies 511between their first and second positions. While various arrangements canbe employed, in the disclosed construction, each needle assembly 511includes a shaft 533 which has a shoulder 535 and which extends throughan aperture 534 in one of the side plates 513 and is threaded intoanother aligned aperture 536 in the opposing side plate 513 to assembletogether the side plates 513.

Each shaft 533 also includes a projecting end 541 which extends into anopening 543 in an actuating ring 545 which is located in the groove 501.More particularly, the actuating ring 545 can be formed of twosemi-circular segments 547 having at their ends overlapping ears 549which are apertured to provide the opening 543, and which are connectedby insertion of the projecting ends 541 of the shafts 533. Thus, whileother arrangements could be employed, the actuating ring 545 and theshafts 533 serve to provide means for displacing the needle assemblies511 between their first and second positions. Such displacement can beobtained simply by rotating the actuating ring 545.

Means are provided for preventing unwanted rotation or displacement ofthe actuation ring 545 so as to releasably and selectively lock theneedle assemblies 511 in either of their first and second positions.While various arrangements can be employed, in the disclosedconstruction, there is provided an operating lever 563 which is receivedin a slot or recess 565 in the housing 22 and which is pivoted on a pin567 supported in the housing 22. One end of the operating lever 563includes an ear or tab 569 which is selectively receivable in a pair ofangularly spaced notches or cutouts 571 on the periphery of theactuating ring 545. When the ear 569 is in one of the notches 571, theneedle assemblies 511 are locked in one of their positions and when theear 569 is in the other one of the notches 571, the needle assembliesare locked in the other positions.

Means are also provided for biasing the lever 563 so as to urge the earor tab 569 into the notches. While various arrangements can be employed,in the disclosed construction, a spring 575 is engaged between the otherend of the lever S63 and a seal formed in a radial bore 577 in thehousing 22 of the head 10.

lf desired, a wire guide tube 579 can be mounted interiorly of thehousing 22 so as to terminate adjacent to the inner ends of the bores521 in the needles 64.

In operation, wires of one thickness are fed through the wire guide tube579 and through the bores 521 of one set of the needles 64 for formingthe main windings of a stator. Wires of a different thickness are alsofed through the guide tube 579 and through the bores 521 of the otherneedles 64 for forming an auxiliary winding. The wires emerging from theneedles which are not in use at the time can be anchored or secured bywrapping the wire several times around the needle and beneath the headthereof.

After winding with one set of needles is completed, the lever 563 isdisplaced to remove the car 569 from the previously engaged one of thenotches 571. The actuating ring 545 is then manually or otherwiserotated to shift the needle assemblies 511 to their other position. Whenthus shifted, the operator releases the pressure on the lever 563 topermit engagement of the gear. 569 in the other one of the notches 571,thereby locking the needle assemblies 511 in their other position. Thewinding head then can be employed for a second winding.

Because of the volume necessary in the pockets 503 to permit alternatepositioning of the needles 64 in retracted positions, the body cams 60and body slides 62 may have a greater radial depth than as disclosed inthe before mentioned Peters US. Pat. No. 3,524,600. In addition, theslides which are operable in the body slides 62 can be of greaterdimension and can be notched out in the area of the pockets 503 so as toac commodate pockets of ample size to receive the needles 64 inretracted position. Such modifications in size of the various componentsis believed to be well within the skill in the art.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A winding head adapted for reciprocating and oscillating movementduring the winding of a stator, said head comprising a housing, a needleassembly including first and second needles, and means connecting saidfirst and second needles in fixed and spaced relation to each other, andmeans mounting said needle assembly on said housing for movement betweenfirst and second positions such that, when said needle assembly is insaid first position, one of said needles extends from said housing andthe other of said needles is retracted relative to said one needle andsuch that, when said needle assembly is in said second position, saidother needle extends from said housing and said one needle is retractedrelative to said other needle, and means on said housing for displacingsaid needle assembly between said first and second positions.

2. A winding head in accordance with claim 1 in further combination withmeans on said housing for releasably and selectively locking said needleassembly in either of said first and second positions.

3. A winding head in accordance with claim 2 including a plurality ofsaid needle assemblies mounted on said housing and movable respectivelybetween first and second positions, and common means on said housingincluding said first mentioned needle assembly displacing means, fordisplacing all of said needle assemblies in unison between said firstand second positions, and wherein said locking means coacts with saidcommon needle assembly displacement means to selectively and releasablylock all of said needle assemblies.

4. A winding head adapted for reciprocating and oscillating movementduring the winding of a stator, said winding head comprising a housing,a first needle, a second needle, means mounting said first and secondneedles on said housing for common angular movement about an axisparallel to the direction of intended reciprocation and in angularlyspaced relation to each other about said axis, means for selectivelymoving said needles about said axis to a first position wherein one ofsaid first and second needles extends from said housing and the other ofsaid first and second needles is retracted, and a second positionwherein the other of said first and second needles extends from saidhousing and said one of said first and second needles is retracted, andmeans on said housing for selectively and releasably locking saidneedles in said first and second positions.

5. A winding head adapted for reciprocating and oscillating movementduring the winding of a stator, said head comprising a housing, aplurality of body slides on said housing, a plurality of body cams onsaid housing, means on said housing, on said body slides, and on saidcam slides defining an annular groove and a plurality of pockets spacedangularly about the axis of intended oscillation and communicating withsaid groove, a plurality of needle assemblies, a pivot in each of saidpockets supported by said body cams in parallel relation to the axis ofintended oscillation and supporting one of said needle assemblies forpivotal movement between first and second positions, said needleassemblies each including a pair of side plates respectively includingpairs of opposing channels located in angularly spaced relation to eachother about said pivot, and first and second needles received in saidchannels such that, when said needle assemblies are in said firstposition, one of said needles of each needle assembly extends from saidhousing and the other of said needles is retracted relative to said oneneedle and such that, when said needle assemblies are in said secondposition, said other needle of each needle assembly extends from saidhousing and said one needle is retracted, a ring member located in saidgroove and connected to said needle assemblies for displacing saidneedle assemblies between said first and second positions in response toangular ring member movement, a pair of notches on the periphery of saidring member and respectively associated with said first and secondpositions, a lever pivotally mounted on said housing and including anear adapted to be selectively received in said notches, and meansbiasing said lever toward a position in which said ear is engaged in aselected one of said notches to prevent rotary movement of said ringmember and thereby to releasably lock said needle assemblies in eitherselected one of said first and second positions.

1. A winding head adapted for reciprocating and oscillating movementduring the winding of a stator, said head comprising a housing, a needleassembly including first and second needles, and means connecting saidfirst and second needles in fixed and spaced relation to each other, andmeans mounting said needle assembly on said housing for movement betweenfirst and second positions such that, when said needle assembly is insaid first position, one of said needles extends from said housing andthe other of said needles is retracted relative to said one needle andsuch that, when said needle assembly is in said second position, saidother needle extends from said housing and said one needle is retractedrelative to said other needle, and means on said housing for displacingsaid needle assembly between said first and second positions.
 2. Awinding head in accordance with claim 1 in further combination withmeans on said housing for releasably and selectively locking said needleassembly in either of said first and second positions.
 3. A winding headin accordance with claim 2 including a plurality of said needleassemblies mounted on said housing and movable respectively betweenfirst and second positions, and common means on said housing includingsaid first mentioned needle assembly displacing means, for displacingall of said needle assemblies in unison between said first and secondpositions, and wherein said locking means coacts with said common needleassembly displacement means to selectively and releasably lock all ofsaid needle assemblies.
 4. A winding head adapted for reciprocating andoscillating movement during the winding of a stator, said winding headcomprising a housing, a first needle, a second needle, means mountingsaid first and second needles on said housing for common angularmovement about an axis parallel to the direction of intendedreciprocation and in angularly spaced relation to each other about saidaxis, means for selectively moving said needles about said axis to afirst position wherein one of said first and second needles extends fromsaid housing and the other of said first and second needles isretracted, and a second position wherein the other of said first andsecond needles extends from said housing and said one of said first andsecond needles is retracted, and means on said housing for selectivelyand releasably locking said needles in said first and second positions.5. A winding head adapted for reciprocating and oscillating movementduring the winding of a stator, said head comprising a housing, aplurality of body slides on said housing, a plurality of body cams onsaid housing, Means on said housing, on said body slides, and on saidcam slides defining an annular groove and a plurality of pockets spacedangularly about the axis of intended oscillation and communicating withsaid groove, a plurality of needle assemblies, a pivot in each of saidpockets supported by said body cams in parallel relation to the axis ofintended oscillation and supporting one of said needle assemblies forpivotal movement between first and second positions, said needleassemblies each including a pair of side plates respectively includingpairs of opposing channels located in angularly spaced relation to eachother about said pivot, and first and second needles received in saidchannels such that, when said needle assemblies are in said firstposition, one of said needles of each needle assembly extends from saidhousing and the other of said needles is retracted relative to said oneneedle and such that, when said needle assemblies are in said secondposition, said other needle of each needle assembly extends from saidhousing and said one needle is retracted, a ring member located in saidgroove and connected to said needle assemblies for displacing saidneedle assemblies between said first and second positions in response toangular ring member movement, a pair of notches on the periphery of saidring member and respectively associated with said first and secondpositions, a lever pivotally mounted on said housing and including anear adapted to be selectively received in said notches, and meansbiasing said lever toward a position in which said ear is engaged in aselected one of said notches to prevent rotary movement of said ringmember and thereby to releasably lock said needle assemblies in eitherselected one of said first and second positions.